1990

Bobbie and Alex had two small children. Charlie was four and Eddy was six. Alex was burning the candle at both ends trying to grow his company. Bobbie was a federal government employee and supervisor of the new computer department. She sometimes had to do paperwork in the evenings.

Bobbie went to work at 6AM and worked until 3:00PM and was able to take every second Friday off. She picked the children up from daycare and school around 3:30. Alex worked from 9AM to 5PM. He dropped the kids off in the morning. After supper he returned to the office from 7PM to 10PM or later. Bobbie was asleep when he got home most nights. They worked too hard and never saw each other. After working so hard all day they had no time for each other and had not yet realized they were unhappy.

In late October 1990, Bobbie was invited to a conference in Vegas. She was giving a presentation on digital leave systems. She left home on Thursday night and gave her demonstration on Friday after the conference plenary session. She answered questions and handed out her card, she decided to go for a walk. She planned to enjoy this free time. She could relax, maybe get her hair cut and do a little shopping for souvenirs. On her way out of the hotel lobby she ran into someone. “Hennessy?”

“McNally is that you? You look great.”

“Hennessy, is that really you?” He had filled out a bit and looked so sure of himself. His awkward boyish looks were more at home on his adult face. He had dark brown wavy hair cut short, deep set dark eyes with strong dark brows and wide cheekbones. She couldn’t stop staring at his very sententious mouth.

She held out her hand and they went back into the hotel to his room.

He closed the door. Hennessy moved behind her, wrapped his arms around her and whispered. “Are you a bad girl McNally?”

They stayed in the room for 2 days; she attended no meetings, no outings and no banquet. When she left his room on Sunday she felt like a phoenix rising from the ashes, all the tedium and disappointment and loneliness was gone. She picked up the notes for the talks she missed and went to pack her room and catch the shuttle to the airport. Her heart sunk as she boarded the plane. She didn’t know what to tell Alex. She couldn’t lie; could she?

He was waiting by the baggage return. “Hi Honey, how was the conference? I left the kids at Trixie’s because I was working today.”

Bobbie said she missed them and that her presentation went well and then she joked. “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?”

Alex hugged her. “You were a wild woman then?”

“Something like that.” Bobbie felt like she was going to be sick.

They found their car and started the drive home and Bobbie couldn’t keep it in. “Alex, I’m so sorry, I ran into an old friend in Vegas and I spent the night in his room.”

Alex took a deep breath. “Do you want to see him again?”

“Oh no Alex, I don’t want that, I am so sorry, I can’t even explain why I did it.”

Alex kept his eyes on the road. Bobbie could see they were welling up. She felt her own tears forming. “I’m trying to be mad at you Bobbie but I just can’t, I feel too guilty. Last night, I was in the office late. Trixie was with the kids and you know my team lead, Heidi? Well we were working on some ideas and I felt we were both sharing a vibe and… and things went too far.”

Bobbie thought, this is it, we’re really over and started crying; soon her sobs started. Alex had tears on his cheeks as he pulled into Trixie’s apartment parking lot. “I can’t bear it when you cry like that Bobbie, I’m so sorry.”

Through sobs Bobbie said. “I’m s-sorry too”

Alex slept on the couch that night but in the morning he woke and Bobbie and the kids were watching cartoons. Eddie looked over. “Why are you on the couch Daddy, was Mummy snoring again?

Alex sat down beside Bobbie. “I just came home late and didn’t want to wake anyone. I don’t care if Mummy snores, I snore too. She’s the best Mummy around anyway.”

They really worked hard over the next couple of months. They made more time for each other and scheduled date nights. Alex apologized to Heidi, explaining that his family was too important to him to pursue a relationship and she said she understood. When Alex worked late, he called home. He brought more work home so he didn’t have to return to the office after supper and Bobbie tried to stay up later so they could spend time together. Time passed and eventually they trusted each other again.

Sat June 15 2019 (Present)

Bobbie needed to drop some equipment off at the big hotel in Crow Harbour. She parked in back and went to the restaurant and completed her business. Then she decided to go to the bar. It was Saturday afternoon and the place was hopping so she was standing in the doorway, indecisively, when a man approached her. “McNally?”

“Hennessy?”

“It’s been almost 30 years and you haven’t changed a bit.”

“Well, I have grey hair and I’m a widow.”

Hennessy raised his dark eyebrows, I guess I’m a little greyer too and I’ve been divorced a long time. Do you want to come up to my room for a drink?”

Bobbie took his hand and they left the bar. He ushered her onto his couch and poured her a glass of cognac. She sipped it. “Bobbie, I came here to speak at the law department at the university and I only agreed to it because Crow Harbour stuck in my mind. I never imagined I’d see you here.”

“My husband died last year and I moved back. I’ve been fixing up a motel that we bought before he died.”

“I’m sorry Bobbie, that’s too bad, Is there anything I do to make you feel better?” And settled on the couch beside her. They embraced and began to kiss. “You are still the best kisser”

They made out for a while and Bobbie started to unbutton her blouse. “I’m sure I’ve been a bad girl a couple of times over the last 30 years.”

He laughed and pulled her over his lap.

When they finished, she stood him up, kissed him and they moved to the bed. He pushed the covers away and gently pushed her down.

They snuggled in bed. “That was 3 for me, if we’re keeping score”

“See, that’s just not fair.” They dozed and woke up around 2AM. They made love some more and Hennessy went into the shower. “I have an early flight.” He said coming out of the bathroom, drying his hair. “I wasn’t sure we’d still click so well. I don’t think I want to wait 30 more years to see you again.”

“We have the internet now, I’ll find you. Maybe we can take a vacation together?”

Hennessy nodded. “I honestly would love that and can’t wait. You can take my ‘Thank you Basket’ and I have the room until noon, so have a nap.” He walked out the door and blew her a kiss.

Bobbie slept until about 10:00 she awoke feeling ravenous. She showered and put on a bathrobe and was going to check out the big basket when room service knocked on the door. She opened the door and room service wheeled a cart in. They put the tray on her table and lifted the lid. “Enjoy”.

Bobbie picked up the note it said Have breakfast on me, you are looking a little thin. XO Brose. She sat down and smiled when she saw the western sandwich and a coke. She ate and got dressed. She wondered if the weird connection she had to Hennessy was enough to build a relationship.

She grabbed the basket and went back to her motel. She went to reception, took the original note out and wrote, thanks for all your hard work on the back of a suggestion card and left it there.

She went home and couldn’t help herself she googled Ambrose Hennessy. Old family money. Father was a Judge and Ambrose is now a Cabinet Minister and is the most eligible bachelor in The Capital. In the words of Steve Forbert she thought “Don’t you go thinking” too much.